Archive By Author - Dale Hogg

There were a lot of factors to weigh when it came to the tons of sand Barton County uses for road maintenance, the decision to purchase a new dredge or the continued buying of sand from a private vendor.

For years now, Barton County has benefited from state dollars that have helped keep the county's infrastructure in tip-top shape. A big part of that success can be attributed to County Engineer Clark Rusco, County Administrator Richard Boeckman said Monday morning.

The possibility that the State of Kansas could rob highway project funds to solve the state's fiscal crisis has come up at recent Barton County Commission meetings. Local officials are worried about work that is promised to the area but that now may be delayed if not cancelled.

Encouraged by the lowest gas prices in recent memory and a brighter economic outlook, the number of those going over the river and through the woods this Thanksgiving weekend will be the highest in several years.

Great Bend motorists and bicycle enthusiasts will begin to notice some new traffic signs and markings around Great Bend. The installation of bicycle awareness signs started Friday afternoon and the painting of sharrows started Tuesday, all of which should be done by today.

It's been a busy year at the historic Great Bend Drag Strip said Hank Denning, president of the Sunflower Rod and Custom Association. He gave his annual report on the activities at the track during the City Council meeting Monday night.

Barton County commissioners who attended the Kansas Association of Counties annual meeting in Wichita last week came away with two overall impressions. First, the State of Kansas is in dismal financial straits, and second, Barton County is in good shape compared to most of its 105 peers counties.

On Friday, Great Bend Street Department personnel began installing bicycle awareness signs along what will become the city's first bike route. It follows 19th Street west to McKinley and McKinley south to the Sports Complex.

According to the United States Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center, there was a 4.8 magnitude quake at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday centered about eight miles south of Conway Springs in Sumner County.

It was a cold fall morning Tuesday as the late morning sun filtered through the golden autumn leaves at Veterans Memorial Park. A stiff north breeze whipped the rows of Old Glories lining the Avenue of Flags.